Giroud believes the key to achieving his dream of a Ballon d'Or title lays in his step-by-step approach to development.

"What has always made me succeed is the fact I set sensible objectives," he told France Football. "I grew that way, step by step. Before thinking about Ballon d'Or, before being part of the top 10 players in the world, I first have to be in top 10 forwards in England.

"I am starting to make a name for myself among that top 10 and I want to do it this year. That is a short-term objective.

"Talking about that two years ago, I would have said it was not sensible. Now I am aware I have the right potential to make it."